Two more suspects arrested for burglaries of O.C. religious institutions

Irvine Police Department Press Release
Public Information Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PRESS RELEASE #5/23/2013
Contact : Julia Engen 949-724-7112, jengen@cityofirvine.org

Subject: Two Additional Suspects Arrested for Burglaries of Orange County Religious Institutions

IRVINE, CA (May 23, 2013): On May 22, 2013, Irvine Police Detectives arrested Robert Dennis of Santa Ana and Fernando Flores of Garden Grove for their role in the recent string of burglaries from religious institutions throughout Orange County.

Dennis was identified by DNA collected by Irvine crime scene investigators on January 15, 2013, at an Irvine temple. Yesterday, May 22, Irvine detectives executed a search warrant at a residence in Garden Grove connected to Dennis. The continuing investigation into Dennis and his known associates produced two additional suspects, Fernando Flores of Garden Grove and James Dorscht of Norwalk.

Irvine detectives located Dennis and Flores in a commercial complex in the area of Fairview and Trask in Santa Ana. At the time of their arrest, burglary tools as well as a shotgun and Billy club were recovered from their car.

Security video collected and shared among the multiple Orange County law enforcement agencies investigating these burglaries depict the two men arrested by Irvine detectives, Robert Dennis and Fernando Flores. The outstanding suspect, parolee, James Dorscht as well as a suspect arrested last week by the Santa Ana Police Department, Daniel Cortez are also seen on the various videos.

Irvine detectives continue to work closely with detectives in other jurisdictions affected by this burglary crew in an effort to locate and arrest Dorscht.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of James Dorscht is encouraged to contact the Irvine Police Department at 949-724-7200.

Robert Dennis DOB: 3-15-68 – Arrested by the Irvine Police Department for burglary, possession of burglary tools, possession of a dangerous weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was booked into the Orange County Jail and is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.

Fernando Flores DOB: 9-5-91 – Arrested by the Irvine Police Department for burglary, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft of a firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon and a $15,000 warrant for commercial sex. He was booked into the Orange County Jail and is being held I lieu of $35,000 bail.

James Dorscht DOB: 12-9-73 – Outstanding suspect for burglary.

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